Questions Plague Budget Recommendation
The Jefferson County Commission full body got their first look at the Budget Committee’s recommendations for the fiscal year 2015-2016 budget in their work session on Monday, June 8, 2015. Though the Historic Jefferson County Courthouse has been relatively full during the budgeting process,many County Department Heads and Jefferson County Mayor Palmieri were noticeably absent […]
Teen Attacked By Black Bear While Sleeping
For the second time this season, Great Smoky Mountain Nation Park officials have issued a warning concerning bear incidents in the Park. Late Saturday evening, around 10:30 pm, a teenager was pulled from his hammock as he slept ten feet away from his father. According to officials, the father and son were on a back […]
Baby Boomers Edged Out by Echo Boomers
As more and more of the Baby Boomers age into the sixty five and over demographics, the face of the United States could change drastically. In 2011, when the first, and largest, wave of Boomers hit the age of 65, it was a turning point in the way that the United States will deal with […]
Kitty Love
June is National Adopt-a-Shelter-Cat Month, and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) is celebrating by encouraging the public to consider adopting one of the 3.4 million cats that enter shelters each year. A recent ASPCA survey of American adults shows that, while cat owners themselves have overwhelmingly positive experiences with […]
Warmer, Lower-Oxygen Oceans Will Shift Marine Habitats
Modern mountain climbers usually carry tanks of oxygen to help them reach the summit. The combination of physical exertion and lack of oxygen at high altitudes creates a major challenge for mountaineers. Now, just in time for World Oceans Day on Monday, June 8, researchers have found that the same principle applies to marine species […]
Swimming Safety for Summer
With the onset of Summer comes the revival of one of America’s favorite Summertime recreations: swimming! While taking a dip on a hot afternoon can be cool and relaxing, there are always people who get sick in the process. Drowning iss a tragedy that occasionally arise during the vacation season – with 69 drownings in […]
Tennessee’s Free Fishing Day Set for Saturday, June 6, 2015
Tennessee’s annual Free Fishing Day is Saturday, June 6 when anyone may fish free without a license in the state’s public waters. The Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency provides the free day in hopes of increasing interest in fishing. The day allows anyone the opportunity to try this great outdoor sport, especially children. In addition, children […]
The Cruisin’ Was Groovin’ In Downtown Dandridge Saturday
It was a blast from the past in Historic Downtown Dandridge on Saturday, May 30, 2015, as the annual Cruisin’ & Groovin’ Antique Car Show came to town. Beauties from prior decades lined the streets, offering local car enthusiasts the opportunity to view the automobiles and chat with the owners. The event is hosted by […]
Pick Tennessee Offers Chance to “Fill Your Grill” with Farm-Direct Meats
Facebook users have the chance to win $200 worth of local meats from a nearby farm. A contest is being conducted by Pick Tennessee Products, the Tennessee Department of Agriculture’s program that connects farmers directly to consumers. A total of 12 winners will be randomly chosen at noon on June 15 and notified by Pick […]
Officer Wayne Rich Receives Shikar-Safari Award
Wayne Rich, of the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency, has been honored by the Shikar–Safari Club International as its 2014 Tennessee Wildlife Law Enforcement Officer of the Year. Rich serves as a wildlife officer in Jefferson County. He was recognized at the May meeting of the Tennessee Fish and Wildlife Commission. The annual award from the […]
Dips and Cuts Move Budget Forward
After months of debate and cuts, the Jefferson County Budget Committee Approved a recommended budget for the fiscal year 2015-2016. Against advise from Jefferson County Finance Director Potts, the Committee voted 7-2 ( with Gaut and McGraw voting No) to send a recommendation to the full body that includes no property tax increase. Instead the […]
Alexander Statement on Anthrax Shipment to Labs in Tennessee, Other States
Senator Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) tonight released the following statement on reports that the Defense Department may have inadvertently shipped live anthrax spores to a lab in Tennessee: “I’m very concerned about the possibility that lab workers in Tennessee or those in other states may have been exposed to anthrax because of this disturbing breach in […]
Salaries and Textbooks at Center of Debate
Jefferson County School Board Members locked in line items just in time for the Jefferson County Budget Committee to approved their 2015-2016 fiscal year budget. In a called meeting on Tuesday, May 26, 2015, Board Members, again, struggled to find common ground on which line items should be funded and which should be cut to […]
Board Of Zoning Appeals Hears From Citizens
The Jefferson County Board of Zoning Appeals and Jefferson County Planning Commission held their scheduled meetings on Tuesday, May 26, 2015 in the Historic Courthouse in Dandridge, Tennessee. The first item before the Board was to determine if a Monastery would be an allowed use of property in the RR-Rural Resort Zone. County planner David […]
School Board Still Searching For Line Item Budget
Federal and Food Nutrition Budgets for the fiscal year 2015-2016 were both approved by the Jefferson County School Board in a called meeting at the Department of Education on Friday morning, May 22, 2015. However, the Board continued a stalemate on line items and has failed to lock in line items on their General Budget […]
2015 Boating Season Kicks Off with Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial Day holiday weekend is regarded as the unofficial start to the summer boating season and the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency wants to emphasize the use of life jackets while boating in a safe and responsible manner. Annually, the Memorial Day weekend is one of the year’s busiest boating weekends. Last year over the holiday […]